THE COMPARATIVE PHARMACOLOGY OF THE HYDROXY AND METHYL DERIVATIVES OF 6-METHYL-2-HEPTYLAMINE

¹ Department of Pharmacology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, W. Va.

6-Methyl-2-heptylamine and 6-methyl-2-heptyl methylamine are approximately equipotent as moderately active sympathomimetic amines with the expected effects in man and animals. Introduction of a hydroxy group in the 6 position removes most of the apparent vasopressor activity, but leaves or enhances the myocardial stimulant activity. As determined with various experiments in man, dogs, cats, rabbits, and mice, the 6-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-heptylamine and 6-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-heptyl methylamine are orally active, produce increased force of myocardial contraction, increased heart rate that can be antagonized with veratramine, increased coronary flow, increased urine output, and possibly mild vasoconstriction. The corresponding 6-methoxy-6-methyl-2-heptyl methylamine is less active, and the 6-hydroxy-3,6-dimethyl-2-heptyl methylamine and 6-hydroxy-4,6-dimethyl-2-heptyl methylamine are essentially inactive.